THE NATION | IN BRIEF / MISSOURI

Spruced-Up Memorial to World War I Reopens

America's largest World War I memorial, scrubbed clean and accompanied by a museum of war relics, reopened to fanfare and rededication speeches attended by representatives of Belgium, France, Italy, Britain and by the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers.

Then, as now, "they are with us there, side by side," Myers said to a cheering crowd of about 8,000.

As the war receded into the history books, so did interest and care for the 217-foot Liberty Memorial. By 1994, the massive tower was so damaged from neglect it had to be closed. Then, two years ago, Kansas City began a renovation.